HBO is known for its short seasonal runs for its shows and gaps of up to 18 months between seasons, but the minimalist result allows for higher quality product with practically all the shows they launch being critically acclaimed. Now, the future of most of them looks bright but at least one may not survive.

Carnivale - Wrapping up its second season last Sunday with a hell of a cliffhanger, there's disappointing talk that the series will NOT be renewed for a third season. A final decision will not be made though til June.

Deadwood - Currently in its second season, the profanity-laced Western has been renewed for a third season to air sometime in 2006.

The Wire - Returns in 2006 for its fourth season

Entourage - Returns in June with its second season

The Sopranos - No date set yet for the ten episode sixth and final season.

Six Feet Under - Returns in June with 12 new episodes for its fifth and final season.

Real Time With Bill Maher - The best politico show on the box will continue with new episodes from this Friday through til Mat, goes on break and then returns with 12 new episodes from August 19th to November 4th.

The network also has four new high profile projects this year:

The Comeback - Follows a faded situation-comedy star (Lisa Kudrow) who invites a reality show to trace her would-be comeback. 14 half-hour episodes begin airing in June.

Big Love - Drama set in Salt Lake City, Bill Paxton plays a guy who has three homes, three wives (Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin), seven children and a new hardware store. 12 episodes begin airing sometime later this year.

Empire Falls (mini-series) - The story of a fading New England town starts May 28th and includes a stellar cast of Ed Harris, Helen Hunt, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Aidan Quinn, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robin Wright Penn.

Rome (mini-series) - The mega-ancient epic begins airing in December.

Thanks to 'Wilkes'